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New laboratory complex under construction at CNL

(2015 June 10) When it opens in 2016/17, the Building 350 laboratory complex will be a world-class facility that represents an investment of over $100 million into the future of CNL by the Federal Government. The building will provide Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL) employees and external partners with a state-of-the-art collaborative and inter-disciplinary facility to safely conduct nuclear research and development.

This impressive two-story facility features over 137,000 square feet of licensed laboratory space (Class C), office and meeting rooms, and material storage areas. CNL is relocating or constructing a number of specialized research facilities into Building 350, including the Chemistry and Corrosion Material Loops Facility, Decontamination and Chemical Cleaning Facility and the Chemical and Corrosion Autoclave Test Facility. These facilities are part of CNL’s Centre of Excellence in Materials and Chemistry, and are applied to solve industrial challenges within the nuclear sector and beyond.

Project Lead, Kelly Fawcett, is proud of the hard work that all parties have put forth in the execution of this project. “Day after day our workers have proven their commitment to the success of this project. From dawn until dusk the team has shown true resilience to meet deadlines and reach milestones without complaint. All teams have been incredibly responsive and have really joined forces to work together and share the load.”

CNL President and CEO, Bob Walker, agrees that Building 350 is cause for excitement here at CNL. “This is an important investment into the future of Canadian nuclear science and technology. Along with the new Hydrogen Isotope Technology Laboratory, this new laboratory complex will help CNL enhance its image as we work to increase our commercial business, grow our connections with industrial partners and position ourselves for long-term success.”

One of the many goals for this project is to construct a healthy, safe and environmentally-friendly laboratory. To support this goal, the building has been designed to meet Leadership in Energy and Environment Design (LEED®) silver standards.

As with any construction project CNL undertakes, all appropriate safety measures have been taken. The building was designed with the application of the National Building Code of Canada (NBC) 2010 relative to key fire and life safety elements. The equipment within the laboratories shall be designed and manufactured to all applicable codes and standards. The aim for the facility is to operate safely, effectively and meet traditional and identified demand requirements for a 40 to 50 year life cycle.

Completion of construction is set for the fall of 2016 while the installation of all specialty equipment is projected to be finalized in the fall of 2017.